Dantonio Stays in State for His Fifth Commitment for the 2010 Class:

It was just a few short days ago that the Spartan Nation seemed to languish that Mark Dantonio had only two commitments for the 2010 class. Sure they were

It was just a few short days ago that the Spartan Nation seemed to languish that Mark Dantonio had only two commitments for the 2010 class. Sure they were gifted players, but they wanted more. We tried to explain that in this class they were trying to take a step up with talent and we even talked to recruiting coordinator Coach Mark Staten to calm some nerves and he explained that same scenario as well. Well, those days are over as the Spartans have added a fifth commitment and with more brewing on the horizon, the proverbial snowball is rolling down the hill.

Taylor Calero is an explosive DE that the Spartans are glad to bring into the Spartan Nation. He has an explosive first step and uses his speed and athleticism to blow opponents up.  The tape don't lie on this youngster and his lateral foot movement and ability to change direction are very impressive. The biggest criticism you will hear of Calero is that level of competition that he played against, but this staff has a proven track record of evaluating talent and those critics are only spilling sour grapes.

Calero possesses sub 4.7 speed and will come off of the end for the Spartans. Although Crockett’s Lippet could get a look on the offensive side, most believe the Spartan thinking is on defense and that would make all FIVE of the Spartans 2010 commits committed to that side of the ball. 

Calero has only played football for three years and his upside is tremendous. One division one coach who didn’t get him, but wanted him told Spartan Nation last night, “His upside could make him the steal of this class. We thought because of his school (Southfield Christian) and the fact that they have only had football a few years we could steal him. Obviously not, but he has more upside than any kid I have seen in a long time.”

Calero will be expected to bulk up, a task that won’t be difficult with Coach Ken Mannie.  Calero has an incredible passion for football and plays like a man possessed. He is excellent taking on the double team and has a high motor in practice, which the Spartan coaches covet. He also is from the Michigan/Ohio region, which is a top priority for this staff as they take care of home first,  a priority that Mark Dantonio has talked about an multiple occasions. He told me earlier this year, “We have to take care of Michigan and Ohio and the states that border us. There is plenty of talent here and he have to make it clear that we look to home first.”

 Calero is the fifth commitment so far for Mark Dantonio in the 2010 class. He joins Traverse City Saint Francis MLB Max Bullough, Detroit Crockett’s Tony Lippett, along with CB Mylan Hicks of Detroit Renaissance and William Gholston the DE from Detroit Southeastern. That number is expected to grow as the summer moves along and the Spartans begin to accumulate more offers. Mark Dantonio likes to see kids that come to MSU for camps before extending most offers. With many youngsters on their way to the Spartan campus, those offers begin to grow and unlike in years past, there are many gifted and talented players waiting anxiously to join the Dantonio led Spartans.